One of the more unique demos I had at E3 2012 was for an iOS game called The Act. More of an interactive cartoon than a game, The Act features hand drawn style animation centered around a story that’s kind of what Leisure Suit Larry may have been if its creator, Al Lowe, had been French. It’s a wonderful experience, but you’ll want to get it now while it’s on sale.

What is it?

The Act tells the store of Edgar, a hapless window washer who falls for a nurse inside the hospital outside of which he’s working. When his sleepy brother gets inside and falls asleep in the bed of a patient about to have brain surgery, Edgar must sneak into the hospital to save him, and hopefully win Sylvia’s heart along the way.

How does it work?

The Act is all about making your move. Hand drawn animation segments are broken up by interactive elements in which you slide your finger left/right on the screen to move Edgar. Whether you’re trying to woo Sylvia, buddy up with doctors, give your boss the Heimlich maneuver, etc., it’s a balance of knowing when to move forward and when to pull back.

The game often gives you hints (Sylvia will turn towards you when she’s ready for an advance, a patient will back away when you seem uneasy using a stethoscope), but you’ll work your way through most of the game via trial and error. If you move too fast or too slow, the scene will end and you’ll go back to the beginning of it.

After three attempts, the game asks if you want to continue and places you right back where you were, so I’m not sure I understand why it bothers with the three attempts to begin with.

One level plays a bit differently, as you must quickly guide a gurney through a twisting, crowded hallway in order to push your brother away from the operating room and to safety. It’s an action-packed break from the otherwise subtle gameplay, even if it does come too close to the end.

Is it contagious?

Yes, but only for a preciously brief time. The Act is very short. Without restarts, you could easily play through the whole game in less than half an hour. And because it’s story-based, there’s little incentive to play through again just to get fewer restarts. As such, you should check out The Act right now while it’s on sale $0.99 (normally $2.99).

It’s a charming game with engaging characters, a fun story and wonderful animation, but it’s over far too quickly. Room for a sequel, perhaps? One can hope.

Features

E3 2015 takes place in Los Angeles from June 16-18th, and the Technology Tell Apple Channel will be there to provide iOS and Mac gaming coverage from the show floor. Before then, join us for news and previews of Apple-friendly developers such as InnoGames, Gameloft, Square Enix, EA Mobile, and many others.Continue Reading »

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are now out in the wild, and that means you’re in need of a case. To help you make the right choice, Technology Tell is rounding up all of our iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus case reviews in one convenient spot. Dig in to find the best option for your protection needs.Continue Reading »

New iOS and Mac Apps are discovered daily, and can spread without warning. Join us each morning of the work week for a quick look at a new app found spreading through iTunes or the Mac App Store so you’re prepared for the next outbreak.Continue Reading »